Handlebar Weights

[dave]

2014 Dlx: Should both the LH and RH chrome, handlebar weights be securely attached to the handlebar, or should they be free to rotate? I can rotate both handlebar weights in both the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions using my hand. When I rotate them, the Philips-head mounting screws rotate with them; it feels like the entire weight assembly is rotating within the handlebar. I don't remember the weights rotating like this when the bike was new. The parts schematic shows a "Ring, Handle Weight Snap" that I think is supposed to snap into a hole in the handlebar to prevent the weight assembly from rotating within the bar - is this correct? Thanks for your replies.

[max]

Mine move as well Dave,including the screw, seems normal.

[dave]

Thank you Max. That's two of us with rotating bar weights - anybody else?

[the Ferret]

yes the ones on my 14 DLX turn

[Lord Popgun]

Its normal. If you look at this, you can see that assembly. https://www.partsfish.com/oemparts/a/hon...top-bridge The item 12 keeps it from pulling out. If you try to turn the weight, item 9 will rotate in the rubber item 11s. or even the item 11s turning depending on what is stuck on what at them time. Same assembly on my ST1300 and I have had both happen while messing with them.

You can see that the weight is keyed the item 9 so if you turn the weight, the 9 will rotate.

[jedd_imp]

Im in the middle of replacing my handlebar.... what I'm seeing is that this part, #12, has two tangs that lines up into two drilled holes on the end of the bar.

with the tangs fully seated into the holes, it locks the bar end weight from rotating and from slipping out. Over time, the collar loses tension, and tangs lose its grip, and then rotates out of the holes. Easy fix is to take out #12, bend outward to expand the collar, plus bend the tangs further out, and then reinstall , ensuring the tangs on #12 pops into the small holes on the ends of the bar.

[Nortoon_imp]

The weight caps on my 2017 EX also turn, but not as freely as the ones on my CB500XA did. I believe this is a safety feature. If you go down on your bike and the handlebar hits the pavement, they will roll and not dig in.

I believe frame sliders roll for the same reason.

Pushing the tab down through the hole in the handlebar was the way to remove the handlebar weights on my CB500.

[dave]

Thanks for all your feedback guys. It looks like the two metal tangs hold the inner bar weight in position, which when new, includes preventing movement of the inner weight in both the axial and rotational directions. The outer bar weight interfaces with the inner bar weight by intersecting with notched surfaces. The tangs prevent the inner bar weight from rotating, and the inner weight prevents the outer weight from turning. Over time, the tangs lose their grip on the inner bar weight, which allows both the inner and outer bar weights to rotate. I don't believe the tang actually works its way out of the hole in the handlebar. Does this make sense? Thanks again.

[Lord Popgun]

Makes sense to me.

Nortoon, my Moriwaki sliders don’t rotate. Well, unless the mounting screw comes loose

[pekingduck]

The clip with the tangs are made of spring steel and won't weaken over time. They don't prevent the weights from rotating. Over time, the rubber may deteriorate which allows a slightly weaker grip by the clip.

The rubbers also deteriorate when they are removed, or if chemicals like WD40 are sprayed into the bar. I find they sometimes stick in the bars and need to be replaced when pulled out. I use a little silicone spray when I push them in.

They move because it's unimportant to lock them in place rotationally.